OBITUARIES
Jacobus “Jack” Arons
July 19, 1961 – September 4, 2025
BOWIE – Jacobus “Jack” Arons, 64, passed away peacefully Sept. 4, 2025, after a long courageous battle with cardiac disease.
A memorial service will take place on at 10 a.m. Sept. 20 at the White Family Funeral Home in Bowie.
Jack was born July 19, 1961, in Brantford Ontario Canda. His parents Robert Arons and Hendrika Arons settled in Northern California in June of 1968 after they initially migrated to Canada from the Netherlands. Jack was not born in Texas but loved Texas and was a proud Texan.
Jack was full of life. He loved to laugh and loved his family even more. He loved with all his heart and unconditionally. He married the love of his life, his spouse Cheri on Feb. 2, 2001. They raised two children together, Heather Reed, Liberal, KS and Jonathon Fisher, Decatur. He was extremely proud of his children and the adults they had become.
Jack believed in old-fashioned traditional values and was very conservative in his views. “Nothing in the world is free.” “Hard work pays the bills,” “Always respect women and your elders,” “Everything happens for a reason.” He was extraordinarily strong in his beliefs and inner faith. He was known to be a bit stubborn because of his beliefs.
Jack retired to Bowie in 2021 after driving a semi truck over the road for more than 30 years but never forgot the love of his profession. He was able to find deep joy in retirement with his family and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Hendrika Arons.
Jack is survived by his wife, Cheri of Bowie; daughter, Heather (Mark) Reed, Liberal, KS; son, Jonathon (Cassy) Fisher, Decatur; Ggrandchildren, Cyriss, Scarlett, Christopher, Kendall and Caleb; sister, Esther (Tom) Tenney, Fairfield, CA; and numerous close friends and family members that he cherished.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Children charities were near and dear to Jack’s heart.
Arrangements entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home of Bowie.
Paid publication
OBITUARIES
Maggie Killen
November 5, 1938 – April 18, 2026
WICHITA FALLS – Maggie Killen, 87, died on April 18, 2026.
A graveside service took place at 1 p.m. on April 27 at Salona Cemetery near Bowie.
She was born on Nov. 5, 1938 in Bowie to Bertha Irene (Brewer) and Emmett Franklin Thompson. She was a graduate of Bowie High School. She was an oil information secretary and later in life as a business office manager in a skilled nursing home.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Bertha Irene and Emmett Franklin Thompson: sisters; Gracie McNatt, Berneice Oliver, Ola Mae Deeton, Ernestine Ray and Dorothy Woolf: brothers; Kelly Thompson, John Thompson, Lonnie Thompson, Wayne Thompson and Tommy Thompson; son, Ricky Wallace and daughter, Vicki Cullens.
She is survived by two grandchildren and six great-grandchildren
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to University Park Nursing and Rehab.
OBITUARIES
Sammy Joe Mitchell
June 4, 1947 – April 19, 2026
SPAINSH FORT – Sammy Joe Mitchell, 78, died on April 19, 2026.
There was a visitation from 5-6 p.m. on April 24 at Jerry Woods Funeral Home Chapel in Nocona.
A graveside service will be at 10 a.m. on April 25 at Spanish Fort Cemetery in Spanish Fort.
He was born on June 4, 1947 in Nocona to Bonnie O. Mitchell Jr. & Mary Lou Cross Mitchell. He grew up in the Spanish Fort area and went to school at Prairie Valley Schools. He was a hard-working farmer, rancher and mechanic all of his life and served his nation in the Airforce. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Spanish Fort. He married the love of his life Robbie Hawthorne on May 8, 1971 in Nocona.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Steven Chris Mitchell.
He is survived by his wife, Robbie Mitchell, Spanish Fort; children, Joe Chris Mitchell, Spanish Fort and Kasie Hamilton, Bowie; sister, Bonnie Robertson, Spanish Fort; six grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to The Montague County Youth Fair, c/o Kenton Holloway, 5549 F.M. 1758, Bowie, TX 76230.
OBITUARIES
Lesli Jan Phipps
November 8, 1958 – April 20, 2026
NOCONA – Lesli Jan Phipps, 67, died on April 20, 2026.
There was a funeral service at 2 p.m. on April 23 at Bethel Baptist Church in Nocona with Pastor David Rogers officiating. The interment followed in Hope Cemetery, Henrietta. Pallbearers were Will Johnson, Ben Johnson, Ryan Johnson, Kevin Johnson, Kaye Rhoades, Tom Skinner and Bill Holcomb.
She was born in Nocona on Nov. 8, 1958 to Gerald “Jerry” and Lucia Painter Johnson. She grew up in Nocona and graduated Nocona High School in 1977. She attended Bethel Baptist Church. She later attended college at Midwestern State University and was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority. She worked mostly in accounting for Northrop Grumman. She married Curtis Phipps on June 3 2021 in Henrietta.
She is preceded in death by her parents.
She is survived by her husband, Curtis Phipps, Nocona; children, Blake Gantz, Euless, Emily Gantz Hicks, Hoover, AL and Garrett Palla, Denton; brother, Craig Johnson; and one grandson.
Memorial donations may be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation at www.komen.org.
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